Obituary of Barbara Lee Fitzgibbon

Barbara Lee Gibson was born on February 13, 1937 in Holton, Michigan. She was the youngest of twelve children born to the union of Emmett Gibson and Emma (Trask) Gibson. Barbara attended Holton High School where she excelled at both academics and athletics.  She graduated in 1955 as the class Valedictorian and also lettered in basketball.

Barbara wed Thomas James Fitzgibbon of Muskegon, Michigan on July 14, 1956, while he was serving in the United States Army. The couple was blessed with three daughters and made Monroe, Michigan their home for a majority of their fifty-five years of marriage.  Barbara was a wonderful mother, devoting her life to raising her children and supporting her family. A devout Christian, she was a parishioner of Zion Lutheran Church in Monroe for fifty-three years. She spent countless hours volunteering, taking sermon tapes to shut-ins, cooking for funerals and Lenten dinners, and singing in the choir. Through the church she made numerous life-long friendships.

Barbara was an avid baker and made some of the best pies in Monroe County! They were a coveted delight and brought a high price at many church auctions. She was very competitive and loved playing cards and games with her family which she often won!  She also enjoyed bowling with her husband and fishing at every opportunity. Barbara was well known for her many fishing stories. A sports enthusiast, she was an especially big fan of the Detroit Tigers baseball team. Barbara attended many games at Tiger’s Stadium and never missed watching her favorite team round the bases on television. A devoted mother and grandmother, Barbara also attended her children and grandchildren’s sporting events and sewed costumes for their theatre performances.

Barbara Lee Fitzgibbon, age 86, of Monroe, passed away peacefully at her daughter's Pinckney home on Friday; July 28, 2023. Her passing was preceded by her parents; her husband: Thomas Fitzgibbon; and ten of her siblings.

To cherish her memory she leaves three daughters: Debra (James) Brousseau, Brenda Pyle, and Joan Fitzgibbon (Nancy Cox); four grandchildren: Lance Pyle, Lyndsey (Nathan) Nagel, Anna Brousseau, and Emma Brousseau (Tim Briggs); a great-grandson: Everett Thomas Nagel; her sister: Alcie (James) Barnes; a brother-in-law: Walter Hansen; a sister-in-law: Joyce Gibson; and countless nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather on Tuesday; August 1, 2023 from 3:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. Barbara will lie in state from 10:00am until the time of a Worship Service Celebrating Her Life at 11:00am on Wednesday; August 2, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church; 186 Cole Road, Monroe, Michigan 48162. Private burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Zion Lutheran School Tuition Assistance. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.